Manchester United ‘talking’ to Jadon Sancho’s agent but England starlet will cost at least £97m as Rio Ferdinand urges club to complete transfer
Manchester United have emerged as the favourites to sign Jadon Sancho, with the club reportedly in 'talks' with the player's agent.
According to well-respected journalist Fabrizio Romano, the Premier League club have held discussions with representatives of the England winger, who has dazzled with 14 goals and 15 assists in 23 Bundesliga matches this season.
Borussia Dortmund chief executive Hans-Joachim Watzke also explained the club will not stand in his way, but that interested parties will have to spend big to prise him away.
It is believed any potential suitor for Sancho will have to stump up at least €110million (£97m) for his services, with Dortmund reluctant to budge on the asking price amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Chelsea have also been linked strongly with a move for the 20-year-old, with the forward's boyhood icon Frank Lampard said to be very keen to bring him to Stamford Bridge this summer.
“You always have to respect what the player wants,” Watzke told Bild.
“We said before coronavirus that our favourite idea is that Jadon will stay with us,” he added.
“I can say that even the very rich clubs, despite the existing crisis, don’t believe they can go on a bargain tour with us. We don’t have to sell anyone below value.”
Meanwhile, Rio Ferdinand has urged his former club to sign Sancho, claiming he is worthy of the iconic no.7 shirt worn by the likes of David Beckham, Eric Cantona and Cristiano Ronaldo.
In an Instagram Q&A, he said: “I want Jadon to go to a team where he will play, improve and get trophies. He’s been linked with United, Chelsea, PSG but I think United is the place for him to go because I’m biased.
“(Marcus) Rashford, (Anthony) Martial, Kane, Sancho, that would intimate a lot of centre-halves before a whistle is blown. Definitely.
“Of course, he has to. If he wears the seven (shirt) he has to be there for the next ten years. That’s what that shirt deserves and demands.
“He’s flying and one of the best young kids in the world at the moment. He’s a player with huge potential and will go for over £100m.
“You are buying someone for 10 years at your club, it’s massive money but I’d take him and risk it.
“You say to him, ‘You’re going to be the player we build a team around and person who can get us trophies.’ He’s got the x-factor, skills, beats and excites people.
“If you go to Real, Barca, United, those stadiums want to be excited and get them off their seat. Sancho is that guy.
“He has all the potential to be an absolute humongous superstar. He brings the playground to the stadium.”